Swimming appliance



Dec, 3,1935. "E. B. c. DORON SWIMMING APPLIANCE Filed Aug. 6, 1934 INVENTOR.

;B C D OROH. ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in sporting goods equipment and has particular ref erence to a combined life preserver and article of apparel.

The principal object of the invention is to produce an economical inflatable device which may be employed at bathing resorts, either as a life preserver, cushion, cape or a hat.

A further object is to produce a device which is simple to construct and, therefore, economical to manufacture and a device which may be sold at a reasonable price.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my complete device,

Fig. 2 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1 with the two center sections removed,

Figs. 3 and i are similar views of the two center sections in separate relation,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the outer ring of my device,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail cross sectional view showing the manner of fastening two of the rings together, and

Fig. 7 is a side elevation partly in cross section of the intermediate ring.

At beach resorts it is common to employ inflated automobile tubes for the purpose of using the same as a life preserver. These tubes serve no other purpose. Applicant has, therefore, conceived the idea of constructing a life preserver on somewhat the same principle as an ordinary tire tube, which tube may be used as a life preserver and to secure to the tube, a pair of inner tubular rings which will fill the opening of the tube and thus creating a device that may be used for several purposes.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates the outer ring of my device. This ring is formed of a tubular rubber material so that the same may be inflated through the nipple 6. On the interior of this ring there is a flange 1 having fasteners 8 positioned therein. The tube also has straps 9 secured thereto, which straps may be draped over the shoulders of the wearer so that the device may be employed as a life preserver and supported from the shoulder when inflated. The numeral II designates an intermediate ring which may also be inflated through a nipple I2. This intermediate ring is provided with fasteners I3 upon its periphery, which fasteners are adapted to engage the fasteners 8 of the ring 5. The inner section of this ring II is also provided with fasteners l4 and a cross strap l6 extends diametrically across the opening. At I l I have shown the inner ring which is also inflatable through the nipple 18. The periphery of this ring has fasteners [9 which are adapted to engage the fasteners l4. Thus when all three rings are joined together as shown in Fig. 1, the entire device may be used as a pad, upon which to sit, or the like, that is, assuming that each ring has been inflated.

When the two inner rings are removed, as shown in Fig. 2, the outer ring may be supported over the shoulder through the medium of the strap 9 (see Figs. 2 and 5), or the device may be turned upside-down from that position shown in Fig. 5 and a person may sit upon the straps while the ring floats adjacent the shoulders and with the head projecting through the opening. The intermediate ring shown in Fig. 3 may be employed as a hat and the cross strap l6 placed beneath the chin. The inner ring I8 may be deflated if desired and also employed in the use of the device as a hat. The three rings may be deflated, the center ring removed and the device used as a cape, allowing the head to pass through the opening in the immediate ring, thus protecting against excessive sunburn.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:--

1. In a device of the character described, a plurality of separable inflatable concentric rings, means for attaching the rings one to the other comprising snap fasteners, and strap means for supporting the outer of said rings from the body of the wearer.

2 In a device of the character described, a ring formed of inflatable material, shoulder straps secured to said ring, snap fastening elements secured to the inner periphery of said ring and detachable and inflatable rings capable of being attached to said fasteners.

3. In a device of the character described, an outer ring formed of inflatable material, shoulder straps secured to said ring and embodying upright loops and a cross connecting piece, snap fastening elements secured to the inner side of said ring, and inflatable rings of decreasing diameters attached to said fasteners within said outer ring.

ELIZABETH BELLE C. DORON. 

